W203/CL203 Suspension (Shocks/Springs/Sway Bars) Discussion/Upgrade Thread
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 544
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
05.C230K.SS
I have a 05 C230K SS STOCK. I want to drop my car, but i don't know what the best and affordable setup there is in the market, especially in Los Angeles. I've heard that dropping with springs on stock shocks isn't that great? Basically I want to start off simple due to my limited budget, so I was wondering if my goal of this mod is for cosmetic purposes, is getting lowering springs enough? or will that affect the quality of my ride? Moreover, because I have the 05, do I need to get 5mm rear spring pads so that my car will look more "balanced"? If so, what's a really good brand for springs for guy like me with limited budget? Oh, and one more thing: If in the future I want to change my stock 17" tires to 18's or 19's, will I need to remove the springs to prevent rubbing?>
MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
Likes: 18
From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
I have a 05 C230K SS STOCK. I want to drop my car, but i don't know what the best and affordable setup there is in the market, especially in Los Angeles. I've heard that dropping with springs on stock shocks isn't that great? Basically I want to start off simple due to my limited budget, so I was wondering if my goal of this mod is for cosmetic purposes, is getting lowering springs enough? or will that affect the quality of my ride? Moreover, because I have the 05, do I need to get 5mm rear spring pads so that my car will look more "balanced"? If so, what's a really good brand for springs for guy like me with limited budget? Oh, and one more thing: If in the future I want to change my stock 17" tires to 18's or 19's, will I need to remove the springs to prevent rubbing?>
there are no "best brand" that's all in one's head. You can go with H&R, Eibach, RENNTech, Brabus, TEIN for springs.
how limited IS your budget? even the springs can range from $250-600 pre-install.
Moderator Alumni
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,255
Likes: 22
From: Seattle
w203 m112
I had the same sound you described coming from the drivers side after I had the TEIN Basics installed on my coupe. I tried everything, from having the swaybar bushings lubed, control arm endlinks changed out, etc. and finally the thing that made it go away was lowering the coilovers almost all the way down in front. SLAM THAT B!+(# FTW!
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 699
Likes: 44
From: PA
09 CLK550
Koni Yellow + H&R Sport Springs
Removed the stock equipment and put the Koni Yellow's and H&R springs on about a week ago.
This made the rear much lower than the front (and of course, I forgot to take a good pic of it
) You can kind of see the rear wheels tucked under the wheel well about 1/4 ~ 1/2"
Picked up the 17mm spacers ( A 210 325 04 84 ) from my MB dealer ($8/each) to replace the 5mm ones I had stock. Brought it up level again:
Yeah it needs a good bath.
While I was under there I noticed the stock sway bar in the rear was kind of beatup so I replaced that with an H&R part as well.
Then did the fuel filter, spark plugs, cabin filter, flushed the tranny fluid, got it tinted & took off a dealer badge.
Oil change and flushing the brake fluid next!
This made the rear much lower than the front (and of course, I forgot to take a good pic of it
) You can kind of see the rear wheels tucked under the wheel well about 1/4 ~ 1/2"
Picked up the 17mm spacers ( A 210 325 04 84 ) from my MB dealer ($8/each) to replace the 5mm ones I had stock. Brought it up level again:
Yeah it needs a good bath.
While I was under there I noticed the stock sway bar in the rear was kind of beatup so I replaced that with an H&R part as well.
Then did the fuel filter, spark plugs, cabin filter, flushed the tranny fluid, got it tinted & took off a dealer badge.
Oil change and flushing the brake fluid next!
Last edited by ambit; Aug 29, 2008 at 12:26 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 1
'06 CLK500
Removed the stock equipment and put the Koni Yellow's and H&R springs on about a week ago.
This made the rear much lower than the front (and of course, I forgot to take a good pic of it ) You can kind of see the rear wheels tucked under the wheel well about 1/4 ~ 1/2"
Picked up the 17mm spacers ( A 210 325 04 84 ) from my MB dealer ($8/each) to replace the 5mm ones I had stock. Brought it up level again:
Yeah it needs a good bath.
While I was under there I noticed the stock sway bar in the rear was kind of beatup so I replaced that with an H&R part as well.
Then did the fuel filter, spark plugs, cabin filter, flushed the tranny fluid, got it tinted & took off a dealer badge.
Oil change and flushing the brake fluid next!
This made the rear much lower than the front (and of course, I forgot to take a good pic of it
) You can kind of see the rear wheels tucked under the wheel well about 1/4 ~ 1/2"Picked up the 17mm spacers ( A 210 325 04 84 ) from my MB dealer ($8/each) to replace the 5mm ones I had stock. Brought it up level again:
Yeah it needs a good bath.
While I was under there I noticed the stock sway bar in the rear was kind of beatup so I replaced that with an H&R part as well.
Then did the fuel filter, spark plugs, cabin filter, flushed the tranny fluid, got it tinted & took off a dealer badge.
Oil change and flushing the brake fluid next!
Thanks for the spring btw.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,518
Likes: 1
From: STL
W203 C230SS
i'm not real convinced that the spring kits actually make the rear sit lower. if you look at a lot of the cars- they actually sit level. however, the rear wheel well uses a smaller cutout than the front- which gives it the appearance of being lower in the back. if you look at the rocker panels- the cars sit pretty level- at least mine does anyway.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
C32
C55 suspension on C32?
Hello mbworld.
I recently purchased a C32 and LOVE IT. However, I was looking on ebay and the C55 looks alot lower, and presumably from factory since all the ones on ebay looked lower in the front than the c32. I read the suspension posts and decided I want H&R sport and konis, until i saw the C55 stance.
Can I use C55 springs on a C32? How about the shocks? Would the entire strut assembly be swappable for a C55 strut/spring/shock? has anyone done it?
The curb weight for a c32 is about 40lbs less than a c55, so weight cannot be the reasoning behind the c55 lower front stance. stock handling is mas o menos but ive read on these boards that the c55 handles like a laser. also, what happens to esp if i lower my car?
thanks
I recently purchased a C32 and LOVE IT. However, I was looking on ebay and the C55 looks alot lower, and presumably from factory since all the ones on ebay looked lower in the front than the c32. I read the suspension posts and decided I want H&R sport and konis, until i saw the C55 stance.
Can I use C55 springs on a C32? How about the shocks? Would the entire strut assembly be swappable for a C55 strut/spring/shock? has anyone done it?
The curb weight for a c32 is about 40lbs less than a c55, so weight cannot be the reasoning behind the c55 lower front stance. stock handling is mas o menos but ive read on these boards that the c55 handles like a laser. also, what happens to esp if i lower my car?
thanks
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 947
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
I drive a Toyota Hybrid...
so have you heard of Coilover??
you can have 4x4 stance, normal stance, c55 stance, lowrider stance + any comfort to stiffness setting you want compare to C55 all it got is 1
you can have 4x4 stance, normal stance, c55 stance, lowrider stance + any comfort to stiffness setting you want compare to C55 all it got is 1
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Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
C32
Yes, heard of coilovers but not interested. In fact, I do not even want adjustable shocks. Just standard shocks and springs off a C55. Not interested in coilovers because too many parts/ possibility for error.
Can c55 springs and shocks fit a c32?
Can c55 springs and shocks fit a c32?
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
mercedes c230
problem after lowering
i need help guys, i lowered my 05 c230 and started to hear a noise coming from the front when coming to a stop or going 0-20mph like a weird road noise and i would feel little grinding through the steering wheel. i have the H&R coilovers, so i lifted it back up and it went semi-away. does anyone know what this can be? thx in advance for any help
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
non-MB
Doubtful. What size are the spacers? I'd install them, drop the car again, and see if it remedies your situation.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 619
Likes: 2
/////AMG
Inner side of the wheel is probably rubbing against the coilovers. Lift up the car and try to rotate the wheel, it should spin freely (if you can slide a paper between the coilover and the wheel/tires then you're clear). If not, then you need to raise the car to avoid rubbing the coilovers. Putting a spacer might solve the problem, just remember to get longer bolts. However, using a spacer even H&R spacer can cause a lot of vibration to the steering wheel when driving. To avoid vibration to the steering wheel you need a hubcentric spacer, where one side is completely flat and the other side has a ring that is extended outward. Good luck.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
mercedes c230
no guys its not a rubbing noise, when i had it low yeah it would rub on the coilover and i bought the spacer for that and it took care of it, so its not a rubbing issue. it makes this, i cant really explain it but a...room, room room, room...sound when im slowing down or when im driving like 5-15mph and i noticed it when i lowered it
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 354
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
2005 Mercedes Benz C230K SS
I had a similar problem too. I put H&R Coilovers on stock rims and started to hear some knocking at first and it ended up being a broken sway bar link. Check that.
Guess there was too much tension/stress on it and it gave way
Guess there was too much tension/stress on it and it gave way
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 56
Likes: 1
From: Stockton, Ca
2010 E350
People would say, "why waste $$$ to lower a c240", but i guess we all have our own perference. I WTB lowering springs. Anyone tried lowering thier c240? if so, can anyone give me feedback for which are good?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,560
Likes: 2
From: Sacramento/San Gabriel/Riverside
01' C32o
s4tobenz is selling some sport springs for 125, checked the classifieds
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
2004 C230K
H&R springs that i bought on Ebay
So i bought these springs on Ebay and he stated that these springs are for a C230 its an H&R springs. He told me its a part # 52792 and even the box said it was a part# 52792. But when i open and looked at the springs them self said it was a part # 29392 and i check it online and found out that they are for a C240. So my question is would it be alright or ok for me to put these springs on my 04 C230K since the info on the H&R website said that it does the same drop 1.4 front and 1.3 rear or what do you guys think i should do?
Here is the link to that page on Ebay that i bought the springs
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=260277149398
And im gonna post some pics of the springs them self.
Here is the link to that page on Ebay that i bought the springs
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=260277149398
And im gonna post some pics of the springs them self.
Last edited by importz_; Sep 5, 2008 at 05:43 AM.
